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In addition there are the second and third priority categories, for children whose mothers are
compelled to go to work as an economic necessity, and where vacancies are not required in the
other priority classes, for children whose parents are both working, provided that the mother,
is employed at least 35 hours a week
Staffing problems of day nurseries still remain acute, particularly with regard to the
categories of nursery assistants and students. As will be seen on page 66 the turnover of staff
for the year was considerable.
Under the Urban Aid Programme the Home Office agreed to makeagrant towards the construction
of a purpose-bui1t Day Nursery in 1970/1971, at an estimated cost of £48,290, to replace
a pre-fabricated nursery-The existing nursery premises besides being unsuitable are in an
unsatisfactory area, and furthermore recently lost the use of outdoor play space taken over for
housing development-
Private day nurseries and pre-school playgroups also became subject to the provisions of the
Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 amending the Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation
Act 1948 A nursery in an industrial premises was registered this year for children of mothers
working on the premises, as also were 12 additional playgroups which provide accommodation for
225 children, At the end of the year two private day nurseries and 24 playgroups registered
provided facilities for 464 children.
Under the Urban Programme (2nd phase), the Home Office approved revenue expendi ture of £1,000
for grants to voluntary playgroups and arrangements were made for deficiency payments to
playgroups on the basis of 6d, per child/attendance.
The Secretary of State for Social Services approved the modification to the Council's
approved proposals under Section 22of the National Health Service Act 1946 to enable the Council
to provide a day nursery and child minder service for children under 5 who have a special need
for care on health and welfare grounds, and to pay reasonable charges where appropri ate, and
to recover them from parents according to their ability to pay.
Statistics will be found on page 92,
FAMILY PLANNING
Family planning sessions conducted on behalf of the Council by the Family PIaiming Association
are held at three of the Council's Clinic Centres, 337 sessions being held during the year In
addition, Council sessions staffed by a Sessional and an Assistant Medical Officer and Health
Visitors are operated at a further three clinic centres. The Council provides a domiciliary service
particularly for families with multiple, social, or other handicaps.
The Council co-operated with the Family Planning Association in ''Family Planning Week'' by
making available the Council's premises, staff and equipment on Open Days in the Clinics and
providing publicity for the week His Worship the Mayor attended one of the Open Days,
This year new patients numbered 1,080, an increase of 14% over last year or 138%
over 1966, (Statistics on page 95.)
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